Some 200 individuals have been charged with federal offenses connected to the siege at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among them are at least 15 examples of family affiliated extremism. These instances include: five sets of husbands and wives; two cases of fathers and sons, mothers and sons, brothers, and cousins; and an instance of father/daughter and brother/sister participation. Although of a different strain and less serious offenses—none specifically terrorism nor involving murder —such kin-connected radicalism is neither a new phenomenon nor one unique to the United States or elsewhere. 

This article discusses extremism in the United States as we close out 2020 and look to 2021. Security professionals can educate themselves on what extremist groups are out there and where the risks lie.

It is dangerous to be related to a terrorist, let alone a senior terror operative. Such an association can lead to one's imminent death while participating in an attack encouraged by a family member.

It is dangerous to be related to a terrorist, let alone a senior terror operative.

There are many schemes by which to analyze the prevalence of terrorists in family units, aptly designated as family terror networks or family affiliated terrorism.

Patriarchs have a strong influence on the level of radicalization and recruitment of family members.

Last week President Donald Trump called on European countries to take 800 ISIS members that are in U.S. custody in Syria or “we will be forced to release them.”

What can law enforcement and enterprise security do to undermine terrorism, including that of the family affiliated variety?